Bichir tankmate ideas.

[Zak03]

Hey guys, I'm trying to help my brother come up with ideas for tankmates for his Dinosaur bichir. He's setting up a 90-gallon fish tank and has a 3" juvenile dinosaur bichir. i was thinking of maybe one Vieja synspila, but he doesn't like how they look. Does anybody have any ideas on who we can keep with him?

Also, does anybody have any credible knowledge of the max size of a dino bichir? we've heard anywhere from 8" to 18". So can anyone tell me for sure what their size is?

 

[kno4te]

I assume a senegalus. If so can reach 10-14in in length.

Can keep Vieja with a Senegalus. Make sure isn’t too small.

 

[twentyleagues]

If its a captive bred Senegal then youd be lucky to see 10". Pretty much anything that the sen cant swallow will be fine, just watch for aggression from the chosen tankmates toward the poly. Leaves you with all kinds of options besides "nano" fish. You could keep it african and do some Congo tetras, ctenopoma, other polys, kribensis, butterfly fish. Or mix it up with South american fish. Rainbows.

 

[tlindsey]

Just keep in mind some Cichlids temperament will change as they mature. So if Cichlid becomes pushy or any signs of aggression remove the Cichlid or the Polypterus.

 

[jaws7777]

Just keep in mind some Cichlids temperament will change as they mature. So if Cichlid becomes pushy or any signs of aggression remove the Cichlid or the Polypterus.

+1

90 may be on the small side for a syn

 

[Zak03]

If its a captive bred Senegal then youd be lucky to see 10". Pretty much anything that the sen cant swallow will be fine, just watch for aggression from the chosen tankmates toward the poly. Leaves you with all kinds of options besides "nano" fish. You could keep it african and do some Congo tetras, ctenopoma, other polys, kribensis, butterfly fish. Or mix it up with South american fish. Rainbows.

hm, I didn't think that being captive bred (i assume it was because my brother got it from Petsmart) would have that much effect on its size. But if it gets to 10", that would be nice.

I mentioned African (and South American, but a lot of the South Americans grow to bigger sizes) cichlids to my brother, but he would like to see if there are other options. hasn't quite warmed up to cichlids.

90 may be on the small side for a syn

that was my worry. it's only a 90 gallon, so I don't think I have a lot of options

 

[twentyleagues]

hm, I didn't think that being captive bred (i assume it was because my brother got it from Petsmart) would have that much effect on its size. But if it gets to 10", that would be nice.

I mentioned African (and South American, but a lot of the South Americans grow to bigger sizes) cichlids to my brother, but he would like to see if there are other options. hasn't quite warmed up to cichlids.


that was my worry. it's only a 90 gallon, so I don't think I have a lot of options

Bad genes in the captive bred absolutely effects growth and overall size. And yes petsmart will be CB.

 

[Zak03]

Bad genes in the captive bred absolutely effects growth and overall size. And yes petsmart will be CB.

Alright, so now we know that the bichir won't grow to its monstrous size. so, any other tankmates other than African/South American cichlids?

 

[tlindsey]

hm, I didn't think that being captive bred (i assume it was because my brother got it from Petsmart) would have that much effect on its size. But if it gets to 10", that would be nice.

I mentioned African (and South American, but a lot of the South Americans grow to bigger sizes) cichlids to my brother, but he would like to see if there are other options. hasn't quite warmed up to cichlids.


that was my worry. it's only a 90 gallon, so I don't think I have a lot of options

The 90 is fine for the Senegal Bichir aka Dinosaur Bichir. Petsmart Senegal Polys are captive bred they average the 10 inch mark when mature. Besides Cichlids there are other species that are compatible and could live in the 90 gallon for life.

 

[Mitchell The Monster]

If its a captive bred Senegal then youd be lucky to see 10". Pretty much anything that the sen cant swallow will be fine, just watch for aggression from the chosen tankmates toward the poly. Leaves you with all kinds of options besides "nano" fish. You could keep it african and do some Congo tetras, ctenopoma, other polys, kribensis, butterfly fish. Or mix it up with South american fish. Rainbows.

+1